Havana

Why Go

The capital of Communist Cuba, Havana is at once exotic and dreary, lively and serious, pierced by the sounds of salsa music and backfiring Soviet-era Lada cars, and dotted with colonial mansions as stunning as they are dilapidated. Just try to find a city that inspires as many equal parts passion and confusion as does Havana. You don't need anything but your own two feet to experience the best of Old Habana, where the entire old city is being renovated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, or El Malecón, the sea wall boardwalk where all ages go to walk, drink and be seen. Music is omnipresent in Havana, and you'll hear it wafting from rooftops, clubs, bars like La Bodeguita Del Medio, private homes and street corners. Cuban food, when it's ...Read more

available, is legendary, and nowhere better to try this than the paladares like Cafe Laurent, private family-run restaurants which serve whatever they happen to have that day. Hotels might not have the amenities of other countries, but who needs consistent wi-fi when you're sleeping in living history?

mixture of history, culture and arts. still somewhat stuck in the 60s, things are changing fast. popular restaurants and bars have tourists outnumbering locals. you'll struggle to find somewhere authentic which is a shame.

Havana is the heart and soul of Cuba. Vintage cars ply the road as if you have stepped into a movie set in the 1920s or 30s; crumpling old Colonial buildings stand erect like proud socialist spirit of the Cubans of older generations. Old Havana is where the city shows its sensual beauty, while the Malecon is the heartbeat as it throbs with the rhythm of Latin salsa and Caribbean beat.

Nobody can ever declare to have been to Cuba without having visited Havana. The Cuban capital is an incredible mixture of beautifully kept buildings such as the Capitolio Nacional; right next to ones that are almost falling apart; interesting and engaging museums such as the Museo de la Revolución; beautiful squares such as Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas and Plaza Vieja; the waterfront Malecon and the world famous vintage cars.

Havana is a very lively city, full of music, dance, art and interesting people. It hosts some of the best restaurants in the country and it quite simply is a paradise for photographers.

Havana, Cuba, isn't exactly the place our parents warned us about anymore. The people are extremely friendly and always willing to help. Havana is a magical place where you can easily find yourself getting lost in the music and a good few mojitos! If you ever get the chance to go, jump on it! I won my trip to Cuba from the Havana Club Gap Year competition and I'm so grateful.